Marijuana users may soon be able to bring their weed into Palm Springs International Airport — but think twice before trying to take it aboard an airplane.

There is a fine line where California law allowing for possession and recreational use of marijuana supplants federal law, and it’s at the airport security checkpoint. Onceacross that line, passengers are in federal territory, where marijuana is still considered an illegal drug and those in possession face arrest.

Airport commissioners had their first discussion Wednesday morning about whether to recommend the City Council adopt a policy allowing passengers to possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana at the airport.

“I know it’s an emerging issue,” said City Manager David Ready. “LAX has a well-thought-out policy in place and it may be time that we consider that as well,” he said.

But LAX’s policy can be confusing as written, leading passengers to think they can board an airplane with it, as well.

Passengers found to have it in their luggage — carry-on or checked — will be detained by Transportation Security Administration officers and local law enforcement called.

Law enforcement officials will determine what steps — if any — will be taken, largely based whether the marijuana exceeds California's legal weight limit of 1 ounce. Anything more can lead to an arrest.

“We will not arrest or cite anyone (who has the legal amount) but we will tell them they either have to leave it here or take it back to their car,” said Officer Rob Pedregon, spokesman for LAX Airport Police Division, which provides law enforcement services at Los Angeles International Airport.

The Palm Springs airport commission agreed Wednesday morning that a policy is needed, spelling out what is and is not permitted. But they held off on making a recommendation to the City Council until they get more data from city staff. They expect to discuss it againat the Nov. 14 meeting.

If it is allowed in the airport, it needs to be made clear it is not legal on the other side of the TSA check gates, Commissioner Peter Freymuth said.

At the least, the airport may be setting itself up for the blame if a passenger is detained and misses a flight because the policy was unclear.

“The new proposition creates some confusion for those that want to transport and/or possess it, whether or not the airport would even allow it on the airport property,”airport Executive Director Thomas Nolan said.

The commission can choose to recommend banning marijuana on airport property or outline a policy in accordance with both California and federal laws, Ready said.

“Once the passengers go aboard a civilian aircraft in possession of marijuana the passengers have violated federal law, and that may be the bottom line,” Freymuth said, in reading a report by the American Bar Association.

“I think at the very minimum, if we say we allow it on the airport grounds, there should be a proviso that says, ‘but not on the TSA side,’ ” Freymuth said. “I would at least make sure that passengers know where the line is.”

FILE - A man smokes a cannabis joint of in a cafe on February 7, 2007.(Photo11: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Since January, LAX has allowed passengers 21 years and older to possess up to 28.5 grams — or 1 ounce — of pot and up to 8 grams of concentrated marijuana, the most allowed under Proposition 64, the Adult Use of Marijuana Act which legalized recreational use in California.

TSA officials say their response to the discovery of marijuana is the same in every state and at every airport — regardless of whether marijuana has been or is going to be legalized.

That said, the agency makes clear that its focus is on terrorism and security threats to the aircraft and its passengers. TSA’s screening procedures, which are governed by federal law, are focused on security and are designed to detect potential threats to aviation and passengers.

The TSA points out that:

Marijuana remains an illegal substance under federal law.

The passenger’s originating and destination airports are not taken into account.

Airport law enforcement will be notified if marijuana is discovered by a TSA officer during the security screening process of carry-on and checked baggage.

At LAX, law enforcement is provided by the Airport Police Division, made up of sworn California peace officers who cannot arrest individuals who are complying with state law, according to LAX’s marijuana policy.

Should the Palm Springs airport commission recommend the city implement a policy like LAX’s, then an ordinance would be drafted under the guidance of the city attorney, Ready said.

“This is a preliminary first step,” Ready said.

Palm Springs was the first city in the Coachella Valley to allow medical marijuana dispensaries, and based on the council’s acceptance of recreational use as well, “it seems they would be open” to a policy that allows passengers to carry pot through the airport, Ready said.

Ready said he has not heard of passengers being found with marijuana as they come through the airport or wanting to carry, “but I want to address it now to be proactive.”

Desert Sun reporter Sherry Barkas covers Tourism and Families. She can be reached at sherry.barkas@thedesertsun.com or (760) 778-4694. Follow her on Twitter @TDSSherryBarkas